Therapeutic vibrating pad

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic pad with an armature having a plurality of extended strips in spaced, overlapping relation. Magnetic field means provides an alternating magnetic field in the armature to vibrate the strips by successively inducing and removing magnetic flux into each strip so that adjacent strips successively pull together and relax.

United States Patent Vecchio May 23, 1972 [54] THERAPEUTIC VIBRATING PAD3,457,910 7/1969 Vecchio ..128/24.2

[72] Inventor: Luigi Vecchio, 6003 Fair Avenue, North P i E u -L W THollywood, Calif. 91606 Attorney-Angus & Mon

[22] Filed: Mar. 18, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl 20720 A therapeuticpad with an armature having a plurality of extended strips in spaced,overlapping relation. Magnetic field 52 us. c1 ..12s/24.2, 128/41 meansprovides an alternating magnetic field in the armature [51] Int. Cl...A6lh 24/00 to Vibrate the strips by successively inducing and removing58 Field of Search ..128/24 1, 24 2, 33, 41 magnetic flux into eachstrip 80 that adjacent Strips Successively pull together and relax.

[561 11 Claim, 11 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,945,675 2/1934Binney ..128/41 MENU-20m 23 I972 suinlnr INVENTOR. ZU/G/ VECCfl/OPATENTEDMYZWTZ I 3,664,332

sum 3 or 3 1 IINVENTOR. .awa/ VECCfi/o BY I rive/V5 vs.

THERAPEUTIC VIBRATING PAD This invention relates to therapeutic pads,and particularly to therapeutic pads capable of vibrating.

Most vibrating therapeutic pads utilize armatures which are vibratedunder the influence of an alternating or pulsating magnetic field. Theseare ordinarily constructed of a relatively rigid spring metal so thatthe armatures could be vibrated about a relaxed or normal position.I-Ieretofore, vibrator armatures have been constructed in apredetermined shape depending upon the intended use for the pad. Priorpads could not be bent or shaped into any other configuration than thatto which it was fabricated. A need exists, however, for a therapeuticpad which can be deformed so that it can fit the contour of the body.For example, it is desirable to be able to wrap a therapeutic pad abouta limb, such as an arm or leg, for therapeutic value, a feature whichcould not be accomplished by prior pads.

Another disadvantage of prior vibrator therapeutic pads resided in thefact that prior pads did not make effective use of the pulsating oralternating magnetic field. Particularly, a substantial portion of themagnetic flux developed in prior therapeutic pads was not used to excitethe armature and hence, was lost energy.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible armaturefor therapeutic pads whereby the user may vary the shape of the pad asdesired.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic padhaving an armature which makes more effective use of the magnetic field.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexibletherapeutic pad which can be wrapped into a cylindrical configuration,as, for example, about a users limb.

A therapeutic pad according to the present invention utilizes aplurality of overlapping strips which are separated from from each otherand located in a magnetic field so that the magnetic field vibrates eachstrip independently of the others. The strips are assembled in the padso that the pad may be wrapped or otherwise bent into variousconfigurations.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, the magneticfield is provided by a pulsating or alternating current passing througha coil wrapped around the strips.

In accordance with another optional and desirable feature of the presentinvention, thermostat means may be utilized so to prevent over-heatingof the coil.

In accordance with another optional and desirable feature of the presentinvention, thermostat means is so associated with the coil that maximumpower is provided to a portion of the coil for an initial period of timeto assure rapid heating of the coil.

The above and other features of this invention will be more fullyunderstood from the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view elevation in cut away cross-section of a portionof a therapeutic pad in accordance with the presently preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view taken along line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the principle of operation of thetherapeutic pad in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a therapeutic pad inaccordance with a modification of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a therapeutic pad inaccordance with another modification of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a section view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of one embodiment of a circuit for use with thetherapeutic pad in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams of other circuits for use with a therapeuticpad in accordance with the present invention;

and FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view showing another coil constructionuseful in this invention.

Referring to the drawings, in particular FIGS. 1-3, there is illustrateda therapeutic pad 10 in accordance with the presently preferredembodiment of the present invention. Pad 10 includes a plurality ofspaced, overlapping, metal strips 11 whose ends are held in frame 12.Strips 11 may, for example, be constructed of suitable spring steel orother ferrous material which is capable of being vibrated. Spring steelis particularly useful in the construction of strips 11 because it issufficiently rigid so as to return to its shape, and yet is capable ofbeing deformed under the influence of a magnetic field to enable thestrips to vibrate under a pulsating or alternating magnetic field toimpart a therapeutic value to the pad. Frame 12 is preferablyconstructed of a flexible insulating material such as soft rubber orplastic. Strips 11 are assembled to frame 12 to form the armatureassembly for the therapeutic pad. Coil 13 is wrapped around the armatureassembly in such a manner that the coil is wrapped in the generaldirection along the length of each strip 11 and the axis of the coilextends across the widths of the assembled strips. When an electriccurrent flows through coil 13, magnetic lines of flux 14 pass throughthe armature assembly. Cloth 15, such as gauze or other cloth, isapplied, preferably as a wrapping, about the armature assembly and coilto form the completed pad. Also, and as will be more fully understoodhereinafter, coil 13 may be a heating coil so that the pad will heat aswell as vibrate.

FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of the armature assembly in accordancewith the .present invention. In FIG. 4 a plurality of ferrous metalstrips 11a, 1 lb, lie, 1 1d, and 1 1e are illustrated in overlappingspaced relation. Lines of magnetic flux 16 are illustrated entering theassemblage from the right (as illustrated in FIG. 4) to magneticallycharge each strip with a north and south magnetic pole. Flux linescontinue from the south pole of each strip to the north pole of the nextstrip, and so on through the assembly. The lines of flux loop back(outside of the coil which is not shown in FIG. 4) to close the loop.

With the north and south magnetic poles formed in each of the strips,the edge representing a north pole of one strip is attracted to the edgeof successive strips to pull together. If the magnetic field isthereafter relaxed, the strips return to their original relaxedposition. If the magnetic field is then reversed, the strips again pulltogether in a manner illustrated in FIG. 4 except that the magneticpoles induced as each strip will be edge reversed. If a pulsatingmagnetic field is applied to the strips, the strips will pull togetherduring each pulse of the pulsating magnetic field and will separateduring each null of the magnetic field. On the other hand, if analternating magnetic field is applied to the strips, the strips willpull together during each half cycle of the field, and will tend torelax only as the magnetic field passes through zero or nullity.

With a coil wrapped around the strips and with an alternating currentpassing through such a coil, the strips will vibrate at a frequencydependent upon the frequency of the alternating current plassing throughthe coil. Hence, if a half-wave rectified 60 Hertz alternating currentis passed through coil 13 in FIG. 1-3, the strips will vibrate at afrequency of 60 c.p.s. However, if the 60 Hertz alternating current isnot rectified, the strips will tend to vibrate at cycles per second.

FIG. 5 illustrates a modification of an armature in ac- .cordance withthe present invention wherein armature strips 18 are spaced apart byspacers 19. The spacers, which may, for example, be constructed ofsuitable flexible plastic or rubber, may be adhesively bonded toadjacent strips and may be sandwiched between the ends of the adjacentstrips. In this manner, the strips 18 are maintained in a separateconfiguration to enable them to pull together and separate in accordancewith the pulsations of the magnetic field. FIG. 6 and 7 illustrate yetanother modification of an armature arrangement for the presentinvention wherein a plurality of ferrous strips 20 are bonded or rivetedtogether at their ends. Each strip 20 is normally warped so that spaces21 are formed between the adjacent strips when they are in their relaxedposition. When under the influence of a magnetic field, the edges of theseparated strips tend to pull together so that each edge portion ispulled toward the oppositely-poled edge of the next strip therebyinducing mechanical vibrations into the assembly.

The armature strips may be held together in any convenient assemblywhich results in the armature strips being in overlapping relation andcapable of vibrating as described. Hence, the ends of the strips may beheld in a frame as described in connection with FIGS. 1-3, or they maybe fastened together as described in connection with FIGS. 5-7. As yetanother alternative, the strips may be elongated flat strips fastenedtogether in overlapping relation as illustrated in FIG. 4 by loose orover-sized rivets so that the strips are capable of vibrating. It is tobe understood that in the case of extended strips, it may be desirableto loosely fasten, or fasten in spaced relation, the strips together atintervals along their length so that the entire assembly retains itsshape.

FIG. 8 illustrates the preferred embodiment of a circuit for use inexciting coil 13 in accordance with the present invention. Coil 13 isconnected via lead 25 to one side of plug 26, and other side of plug 26is connected through the series connection consisting of manuallyoperable switch 27, thermostat switches 28 and 29 and rectifier 30. Theopposite side of rectifier 30 is connected via lead 31 to the oppositeside of coil 13.

In the operation of the circuit illustrated in FIG. 8, and assumingthermostatic switches 28 and 29 are closed, closure of manually operableswitch 27 causes alternating current to be delivered to rectifier 30where it is rectified so that only halfwave rectified current isdelivered to coil 13. Each pulse of half-wave rectified currentgenerates a pulse of magnetic flux through the armature. Accordingly,each strip 11 of the armature is magnetically induced with north andsouth poles and the edges of adjacent strips will pull together, therebyinducing mechanical vibration into the assembly. When the currentreturns to zero, such as when the alternating current is not passed bythe rectifier, the induced magnetic charge dissipates from themagnetizeable armature strips and the strips relax to their normalposition.

Thermostatic switches 28 and 29 are provided to shut off power to coil13 in the event that coil 13 should become too hot. Thus, if coil 13overheats, at least one of thermostatic switches 28 and 29, which are inclose proximity with the coil, opens to prevent further power from beingdelivered to the coil.

FIG. 9 illustrates a modification of the circuit illustrated in FIG. 8wherein the coil consists of a plurality, such as two, seriallyconnected coils 32 and 33 which are magnetically coupled together andwhich are in series with diode 30. Coils 32 and 33 are preferablyheating coils and are wound together about the armature such asillustrated by coil 13 in FIGS. 1-3. Thermostatic switch 34 is connectedto the junction between thermostatic switch 29 and diode 30 and to thejunction between coils 32 and 33. Thermostatic switch 34 is adapted toopen at a temperature which is within the operating range of coil 32 andat a temperature substantially lower than safety thermostatic switches28 and 29.

In operation of the circuit illustrated in FIG. 9, thermostatic switches28, 29 and 34 are initally closed because the coils are relatively cool.Manually operable switch 27 may be closed to deliver power to coil 32.Full power is delivered to coil 32 through normally closed thermostaticswitch 34 which shorts out diode 30 and coil 33. Coil 32, under theinfluence of unrectified alternating current induces an alternatingmagnetic field into the region of the armature strips which in turncauses the strips to vibrate at a rate of 120 cycles per second(assuming 60 c.p.s. power) as heretofore explained. Also, full power isdelivered to coil 32 to cause the coil to heat rapidly. Coil 32 heatsrapidly until thermostatic switch 34, which is in close proximity withcoil 32, opens thereby opening the short circuit across diode 30 andcoil 33. With switch 34 open, further cur rent is half-wave rectifiedand is delivered to the series combination of coils 32 and 33. Thehalf-wave rectified current generates a pulsating magnetic field tovibrate the strips at 60 c.p.s. (Assuming a 60 c.p.s. source). Also, thehalf-wave rectified current represents one-half of the power of thepreviously unrectified current so the power to the coils is reduced toone-half which is sufficient for maintaining the temperature of the padat the therapeutic value achieved during the initial heating stage.

The circuit illustrated in FIG. 9 is particularly useful in connectionwith heating coils for heating the therapeutic pad. The circuitillustrated in FIG. 9 provides rapid heating of the heating coil bydelivering full power to the heating coil before reducing the powerthrough diode 30.

FIGS. 10 and 1 1 illustrate the circuit of yet another modification of acircuit for use with a therapeutic pad in accordance with the presentinvention. In FIG. 10, the primary winding 35 of a transformer isconnected through switch 27 and plug 26 to a source of alternatingcurrent, such as volt, 60 Hertz current. The secondary winding 36 of thetransformer is connected via leads 37 and 38 to a plurality of coils 39,40,41, 42, respectively. (FIG. 11). Preferably the transformer formingcoils 35 and 36 is a step-down transformer so that the voltage appearingacross winding 36 is substantially lower than that across the primarywinding 35.

One advantage of the circuit illustrated in FIGS. 10 and I1 resides inthe fact that the circuit operates at a lower voltage than ordinary 120volt house voltage. The multi-filar winding of windings 39, 40, and 41improves the current distribution on the surface of the therapeutic padand does not significantly stiffen the pad so the pad remains flexible.Furthermore, with the step-down transformer, a higher current appears onleads 37 and 38 of the secondary winding of the transformer so that agiven magnetic field strength may be generated with a lesser number ofturns of coils 39, 40 and 41. This is due to the fact that the strengthof the magnetic field is dependent upon the number of ampere turns, andsince the current is higher in the secondary winding, fewer number ofturns are required to maintain the same ampere turns. With fewer turnsrequired in the coil for the therapeutic pad, winding impedance issignificantly reduced, thereby increasing the efficiency of the pad.

The present invention thus provides a therapeutic pad capable ofeffectively using the magnetic field generated by an alternating orpulsating current source. Additionally, circuits are provided whichenable use of the therapeutic pad in connection with both vibrating andheating modes for maximum therapeutic value. The therapeutic pad makesmore effective use of available magnetic field than prior pads byconcentrating the magnetic field into the armature with less fluxleakage than prior therapeutic pads. Also, unlike prior therapeuticpads, the therapeutic pad in accordance with the present invention iscapable of being warped or wrapped in the direction of the axis of thecoil. Hence, the pad may be wrapped about a limb, such as an arm or leg,for most effective therapeutic value.

Although the present invention has been described with a use of a singlecoil, it is to be understood that a plurality of coils may be utilizedin connection with the armature. Also, although the present inventionhas been described in connection with the use of armature strips havinga substantially rectangular cross-section, it is to be understood thatthe crosssection of the armature strips may be oblong, or otherwiseshaped. It is preferred only that the strips be of extended length andthat they be capable of being warped or bent under the influence ofmagnetic field and return to their natural or relaxed shape when themagnetic field is removed.

This invention is not to be limited by the embodiments shown in thedrawings and described in the description, which are given by way ofexample and not of limitation.

What is claimed is:

1. A therapeutic pad comprising: field producing means for producing analternating magnetic field; and a metal armature assembly adjacent tosaid field producing means for providing vibrations when said fieldproducing means produces an alternating magnetic field, said armaturecomprising a plurality of elongated metal strips having their lengthsdisposed substantially normal to the direction of said magnetic fieldand parallel to each other at least a portion of adjacent ones of saidstrips overlapping and overlaying each other in the direction lateral totheir direction of length, and being spaced apart from one another saidmagnetic field tending to move an edge of each strip toward an edge ofits adjacent strip, whereby to impart a rotary, twisting motion to thesaid strips.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said field producing meanscomprises conductive coil means wrapped around said armature assembly,with its windings extending generally parallel to the direction oflength of the strips.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein spacer means is bonded to anend of each of said strips to maintain each strip in said overlappingand spaced relation.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 further including halfwave rectifiermeans in series with said coil means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said elongated strips arewarped when in their relaxed position,-the strips being so arranged anddisposed that a portion of each strip contacts a portion of the edge ofits next adjacent strip and a portion of each strip is thereby heldspaced from a portion of the next adjacent strip.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the strips are substantiallyflat and rectangular, and in which resilient frame means is providedwhich holds the end of each of said strips.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein spacer means is bonded to anend of each of said strips to maintain each strip in said overlappingand spaced relation.

8. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said coil means comprises aplurality of conductive coils, half-wave rectifier means in series withsaid plurality of conductive coils, and normally closed thermostat meansshort circuiting said rectifier means and at least one of said coils,said thermostat means opening in response to heat produced by another ofsaid plurality of coils, whereby when alternating current is initiallysupplied to said coil means, full power is supplied to said other ofsaid plurality of coils through said thermostat means to heat said othercoil and said thermostat means opens in response to heat produced bysaid other coil so that said half-wave rectifier means reduces power tosaid plurality of coils.

9. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said elongated strips arewarped when in their relaxed position, the strips being so arranged anddisposed that a portion of each strip contacts a portion of the edge ofits next adjacent strip and a portion of each strip is thereby heldspaced from a portion of the next adjacent strip.

10. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the strips are substantiallyflat and rectangular, and in which resilient frame means is providedwhich holds the end of each of said strips.

1 1. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said coil means comprises amulti-filar coil, and in which a stepdown transformer has its primarywinding adapted for connection to a source of alternating current andhas its secondary winding connected to the ends of each filar of saidcoil.

35 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,664,332 Dated- May 23 1972 Inventor (s) It is certified that errorappears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 4, line 70 insert a comma before "a' Cl. 1, line 8 Col, 4, line 73insert a cdmma before "said" c1. 1, line 11 w Signed and sealed this17th day of December 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. 7 c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissionerof- Patents

1. A therapeutic pad comprising: field producing means for producing an alternating magnetic field; and a metal armature assembly adjacent to said field producing means for providing vibrations when said field producing means produces an alternating magnetic field, said armature comprising a plurality of elongated metal strips having their lengths disposed substantially normal to the direction of said magnetic field and parallel to each other at least a portion of adjacent ones of said strips overlapping and overlaying each other in the direction lateral to their direction of length, and being spaced apart from one another said magnetic field tending to move an edge of each strip toward an edge of its adjacent strip, whereby to impart a rotary, twisting motion to the said strips.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said field producing means comprises conductive coil means wrapped around said armature assembly, with its windings extending generally parallel to the direction of length of the strips.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein spacer means is bonded to an end of each of said strips to maintain each strip in said overlapping and spaced relation.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 further including half-wave rectifier means in series with said coil means.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said elongated strips are warped when in their relaxed position, the strips being so arranged and disposed that a portion of each strip contacts a portion of the edge of its next adjacent strip and a portion of each strip is thereby held spaced from a portion of the next adjacent strip.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the strips are substantially flat and rectangular, and in which resilient frame means is provided which holds the end of each of said strips.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein spacer means is bonded to an end of each of said strips to maintain each strip in said overlapping and spaced relation.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said coil means comprises a plurality of conductive coils, half-wave rectifier means in series with said plurality of conductive coils, and normally closed thermostat means short circuiting said rectifier means and at least one of said coils, said thermostat means opening in response to heat produced by another of said plurality of coils, whereby when alternating current is initially supplied to said coil means, full power is supplied to said oTher of said plurality of coils through said thermostat means to heat said other coil and said thermostat means opens in response to heat produced by said other coil so that said half-wave rectifier means reduces power to said plurality of coils.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said elongated strips are warped when in their relaxed position, the strips being so arranged and disposed that a portion of each strip contacts a portion of the edge of its next adjacent strip and a portion of each strip is thereby held spaced from a portion of the next adjacent strip.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the strips are substantially flat and rectangular, and in which resilient frame means is provided which holds the end of each of said strips.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said coil means comprises a multi-filar coil, and in which a stepdown transformer has its primary winding adapted for connection to a source of alternating current and has its secondary winding connected to the ends of each filar of said coil. 